January 19, 2021 | By Lee Spencer

Ty Dillon to debut with Gaunt Brothers Racing at Daytona in the Great American Race

Ty Dillon will team up with Toyota and Gaunt Brothers Racing for Daytona Speedweeks.

Dillon will pilot the No. 96 Bass Pro Shops/Black Rifle Coffee Company Camry for the 63rd running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 14.

The 28-year-old Lewisville, N.C. native will attempt to qualify for his 163rd race on the NASCAR Cup tour and his10th start at the 2.5-mile track.

“Gaunt Brothers Racing has given me a great opportunity to compete in the Daytona 500 and I couldn’t be happier,” Dillon said. “I love superspeedway races and the Daytona 500 is the biggest of them all. Toyota has certainly proven itself in our sport and in the Daytona 500. I’m looking forward to racing with them and reuniting with Bass Pro Shops and Black Rifle Coffee Company."

Dillon’s best result in the Great American Race was sixth in 2019. He has posted three top 10’s and a career-high finish of fourth at the Birthplace of Speed. 

Gaunt Brothers Racing will unload a new car with a Toyota Racing Development engine for Dillon’s debut with the team.

“The best way to get a good start to your season is to have a good finish in the Daytona 500,” said Marty Gaunt, president, Gaunt Brothers Racing. “We’ve got a talented driver in Ty Dillon with a strong TRD engine plugged into the best equipment available. Together with Toyota, Bass Pro Shops and Black Rifle Coffee Company, we’re ready to compete and surprise some people.”

Dillon is still searching for his first victory on NASCAR’s premier tour. He’s been a man without a country since Germain Racing announced it was shutting down last year. Dillon had raced full-time with the team since 2017. 

The grandson of Richard Childress, Dillon competed in NASCAR’s feeder series and won the ARCA Menard’s title in 2011 before joining the truck series full-time. He came just short of winning the truck title in 2013 before graduating to the Xfinity tour in 2014—and Cup three years later.

Bass Pro Shops has been a lucky charm for Dillon. All four of his combined wins in truck and Xfinity came while driving the Bass Pro Shops livery. 

“In addition to Ty’s competitive spirit and lifelong passion for racing, his love of fishing, hunting and the great outdoors makes him a great ambassador for Bass Pro Shops,” said Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris. 

“We know Ty lives for moments like the Daytona 500 just like we do, and we couldn’t be more excited for him to represent Bass Pro Shops in the biggest race of the year.”

Gaunt has yet to name a full-time driver for the 2021 season. Dillon has been rumored to be racing the No. 23 Toyota in the Busch Clash at Daytona.